Good morning,

This week we will study the character of Joseph. There is nothing negative said about Joseph. In every circumstance of Joseph’s life, the Lord was with him. Joseph led a life of highs and lows, but never complained. He was betrayed by his brothers, lied about by Potiphar’s wife, languished in prison, and ultimately ruled in the nation of Egypt.

Joseph was a dreamer. When Joseph dreamed a dream, it became reality. Through God’s help, Joseph was able to interpret the dreams. His brothers despise him, his parents are annoyed, the butler rejoiced, and the baker ended up dead. Pharaoh requested his help in interpreting his dream. Joseph’s interpretation averted the death of many people. Pharaoh promotes him from prisoner to prince.

Let’s review the life of Joseph, and be reminded of the wonderful character displayed by this man of God.

INTRODUCTION

1. When we think of “the patriarchs”, the following likely come to mind…

   a. Abraham, man of faith

   b. Isaac, son of promise

   c. Jacob, father of the twelve tribes of Israel

2. Yet consider this about the patriarch Joseph…

   a. More space in Genesis is devoted to him than the others

   b. There is not a single word of reproof against Joseph

3. Indeed, “The Character of Joseph” is worthy of careful study…

   a. His nobility of character, his purity of heart and life

   b. His magnanimity as ruler and brother

   — Make him, more than any other of the Old Testament characters, an illustration of that type of man which Christ was to give to the world in perfection

Our challenge this week is to see how Joseph reacted to particular circumstances. Then to take those observations and apply them to our lives. Although extreme, Joseph’s trials were no different than some of ours. 

What is Character?

“A person’s character is who they really are. We all think about a lot of things that are not godly, and things we would be ashamed of if they were available for all to know. Abraham Lincoln once said, “Character is like a tree and reputation like its shadow. The shadow is what we think of it; the tree is the real thing.” My reputation is what others think of me, which may or may not be true, but my character is who I really am. Your character is the real you in the sense that you cannot separate what you do from who you are.

Everyone has a “public” face and a “private” face. Most of us tend to act with better behavior around others than we do in private. The other day I was at a major retail store when I noticed sophisticated video surveillance equipment. It’s not that I was going to do anything wrong, but just knowing the cameras were there resulted in my thinking, “I need to watch what I am doing because someone could be watching me.” Stories abound of people being caught on camera committing rueful acts. It is sad but true that video cameras reveal what we all know: that a person’s real character is who they are when they think no one is looking. The British writer and politician Thomas Macauly (1800-1859) once said, “The measure of a man’s character is what he would do if he knew he never would be found out.”

Character is the aggregate of a person’s ethical and moral qualities, and it is demonstrated through the choices we make. So a person of good character is someone who acts morally and ethically upright. Undoubtedly, we are all a mixture of both good and bad, so we are not saying that to have “good” character a person never makes any missteps. Rather, he is someone who is always striving to take the moral high road and, when he recognizes he has done something wrong, does what is necessary to get back on track.

The list of “high value” character traits (those virtues we esteem) is extensive, and includes such things as integrity, courage, honor, honesty, and fortitude. In addition to the many noble traits there are, we Christians would also want to make sure that we are pursuing those virtues that God espouses. Certainly this list for us would incorporate the distinguishing qualities of love, grace, mercy, forgiveness, and humility. In fact, it has been said that the fruit of the spirit mentioned in Galatians 5:22 and 23 represent the character of Christ.

Galatians 5:22 and 23a
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control…

The type of character you have is your choice. This is why it was once said that, “Your character is the sum total of your life choices.” If you make poor choices, such as stealing, lying, or laziness, then you have poor character. I may not have a choice regarding the situations I am confronted with, but I always have a choice concerning how I respond to those situations. When dealing with frustrating or disappointing circumstances, I can respond with anger or with patience. The choice is always mine to make, so my character is always a matter of my choice, and thus it is my responsibility.” (The Importance of Character, 28 October 2013, Truth or Tradition)

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001

Good morning,

Jacob the deceiver, has been deceived. God commands him to leave Laban and go home.

On the way, he has an encounter with the angel of God, and his life is radically changed.

Jacob comes to God with a humble and repentant attitude. God blesses him, changes his name to Israel, and reminds him of the covenant He made with Abraham and Isaac. Jacob builds an altar to God and a pillar where God spoke to him.

This week we will study this transformation.

Jacob returns to Bethel in obedience to God (Ref Gen 31:11-13)

Genesis 35:1 And God said unto Jacob, Arise, go up to Bethel, and dwell there: and make there an altar unto God, that appeared unto thee when thou fleddest from the face of Esau thy brother.

Genesis 35: 2-4 Then Jacob said unto his household, and to all that were with him, Put away the strange gods that are among you, and be clean, and change your garments:

Genesis 35:9-15 And God appeared unto Jacob again, when he came out of Padanaram, and blessed him. And God said unto him, Thy name is Jacob: thy name shall not be called any more Jacob, but Israel shall be thy name: and he called his name Israel. And God said unto him, I am God Almighty: be fruitful and multiply; a nation and a company of nations shall be of thee, and kings shall come out of thy loins; And the land which I gave Abraham and Isaac, to thee I will give it, and to thy seed after thee will I give the land. And God went up from him in the place where he talked with him. And Jacob set up a pillar in the place where he talked with him, even a pillar of stone: and he poured a drink offering thereon, and he poured oil thereon. And Jacob called the name of the place where God spake with him, Bethel.

CONCLUSION:

• Obedience results in blessing
• Remember where God has met with you.
• FOUNDATION STONE: Jacob’s obedience leads to God’s blessing and name change to Israel and the father of the first group of people to have that name.

Jacob obeys God. God told him to move to Bethel and he did. He made sure his household got rid of all their strange gods (idols).

When he arrived, God met with Him and blessed him. God reassured Jacob that the covenant that He made with Abraham and Isaac was still in effect. Jacob sets up a pillar of stone to commemorate the event. He worships God by offering a drink offering with oil.

Jacob’s life has totally changed. From a deceiver to a worshipper of the one true God.

Can we say our lives are totally committed to God? When we came to faith in Christ, did our lives change? Do we worship God by our obedience to Him? Do other people know that we are believers in Christ?

If we learn nothing else from the life of Jacob, it is that God is in the business of changing people’s lives. He wants them to worship Him. He wants them to obey His word. He wants us to demonstrate Christ in us.

Will we let Him?

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001  

Good morning,

Jacob the deceiver, has been deceived. God commands him to leave Laban and go home.

On the way, he has an encounter with the angel of God, and his life is radically changed.

Jacob comes to God with a humble and repentant attitude. God blesses him, changes his name to Israel, and reminds him of the covenant He made with Abraham and Isaac. Jacob builds an altar to God and a pillar where God spoke to him.

This week we will study this transformation.

Jacob builds an altar to the God of Israel (His God, ref Gen28:20-22)

Genesis 28:20-22 And Jacob vowed a vow, saying, If God will be with me, and will keep me in this way that I go, and will give me bread to eat, and raiment to put on,²¹ So that I come again to my father’s house in peace; then shall the Lord be my God:²² And this stone, which I have set for a pillar, shall be God’s house: and of all that thou shalt give me I will surely give the tenth unto thee.

Genesis 33:18-20 And Jacob came to Shalem, a city of Shechem, which is in the land of Canaan, when he came from Padanaram; and pitched his tent before the city.¹⁹ And he bought a parcel of a field, where he had spread his tent, at the hand of the children of Hamor, Shechem’s father, for an hundred pieces of money. And he erected there an altar, and called it El Elohe Israel.      V 20 (The God of Israel)

Jacob builds an altar. He remembers the One who blessed his journey. He worships the Lord and changes the name of the place to “El Elohe Israel” which means, “The God of Israel”. He claims (accepts) and now worships God as the God of his people. Jacob now not only embraces his new name, Israel, but also sees that as a name for what will become a nation.

For us an altar would be a place of remembrance. It is a place where God met us and a commitment was made. Jacob’s was Bethel. Where is ours? It may be the place we committed our lives to Christ. It may be the place God called us to minister for Him. It may be a place where God wrought a great victory in our lives. We all have one.

Thank God often for that place of remembrance.

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001

Good morning,

Jacob the deceiver, has been deceived. God commands him to leave Laban and go home.

On the way, he has an encounter with the angel of God, and his life is radically changed.

Jacob comes to God with a humble and repentant attitude. God blesses him, changes his name to Israel, and reminds him of the covenant He made with Abraham and Isaac. Jacob builds an altar to God and a pillar where God spoke to him.

This week we will study this transformation.

JACOB/ISRAEL HONORS GOD

GENESIS 32-35

INTRO:  Obedience results in blessing

WHO ARE THE PLAYERS?

1.   God-See lesson 1

2.  Jacob, Esau, Angel of the Lord

WHAT happens?

Jacob humbles himself before God

Genesis 32:9-12 I am not worthy of the least of all the mercies, and of all the truth, which thou hast shewed unto thy servant; … V10

Jacob wrestles with the Angel of God

Genesis 32:24-26 And he said, I will not let thee go, except thou bless me. V26

Jacob blessed (No longer deceiver but a prince of God)

Genesis 32:27-30 And he said unto him, What is thy name? And he said, Jacob. And he said, Thy name shall be called no more Jacob, but Israel: for as a prince hast thou power with God and with men, and hast prevailed. And Jacob asked him, and said, Tell me, I pray thee, thy name. And he said, Wherefore is it that thou dost ask after my name? And he blessed him there. And Jacob called the name of the place Peniel: for I have seen God face to face, and my life is preserved.

Jacob builds an altar to the God of Israel (His God, ref Gen28:20-22)

Genesis 33:18-20 And he erected there an altar, and called it El Elohe Israel.      V 20 (The God of Israel)

Jacob returns to Bethel in obedience to God (Ref Gen 31:11-13)

Genesis 35:1 And God said unto Jacob, Arise, go up to Bethel, and dwell there: and make there an altar unto God, that appeared unto thee when thou fleddest from the face of Esau thy brother.

Genesis 35: 2-4 Then Jacob said unto his household, and to all that were with him, Put away the strange gods that are among you, and be clean, and change your garments:

Genesis 35:9-15 And God appeared unto Jacob again, when he came out of Padanaram, and blessed him. And God said unto him, Thy name is Jacob: thy name shall not be called any more Jacob, but Israel shall be thy name: and he called his name Israel. And God said unto him, I am God Almighty: be fruitful and multiply; a nation and a company of nations shall be of thee, and kings shall come out of thy loins; And the land which I gave Abraham and Isaac, to thee I will give it, and to thy seed after thee will I give the land. And God went up from him in the place where he talked with him. And Jacob set up a pillar in the place where he talked with him, even a pillar of stone: and he poured a drink offering thereon, and he poured oil thereon. And Jacob called the name of the place where God spake with him, Bethel.

CONCLUSION:

• Obedience results in blessing
• Remember where God has met with you.
• FOUNDATION STONE: Jacob’s obedience leads to God’s blessing and name change to Israel and the father of the first group of people to have that name.

Good morning,

Jacob the deceiver, has been deceived. God commands him to leave Laban and go home.

On the way, he has an encounter with the angel of God, and his life is radically changed.

Jacob comes to God with a humble and repentant attitude. God blesses him, changes his name to Israel, and reminds him of the covenant He made with Abraham and Isaac. Jacob builds an altar to God and a pillar where God spoke to him.

This week we will study this transformation.

Jacob wrestles with the Angel of God (Genesis 32:24-26)

“And Jacob was left alone; and there wrestled a man with him until the breaking of the day.²⁵ And when he saw that he prevailed not against him, he touched the hollow of his thigh; and the hollow of Jacob’s thigh was out of joint, as he wrestled with him.²⁶ And he said, Let me go, for the day breaketh. And he said, I will not let thee go, except thou bless me.”

Jacob blessed (No longer deceiver but a prince of God) (Genesis 32:27-30)

And he said unto him, What is thy name? And he said, Jacob. And he said, Thy name shall be called no more Jacob, but Israel: for as a prince hast thou power with God and with men, and hast prevailed. And Jacob asked him, and said, Tell me, I pray thee, thy name. And he said, Wherefore is it that thou dost ask after my name? And he blessed him there. And Jacob called the name of the place Peniel: for I have seen God face to face, and my life is preserved.

A. Here is a man through whom the purposes of God are to be wrought.

         1. Through him shall come a nation.

         2. Through the nation shall come a savior.

         3. Through the savior redemption for the world.

B. Jacob has one great weakness.

         1. He is too strong in himself, too resourceful.

         2. As long as he is able by his wit and cunning to master every situation, he will never experience the great power of God. His strength will always be limited to himself.

         3. His problem was never that he did not believe in God.

                 a. He believed in God second, himself first.

                 b. He felt that God needed his help.

C. Why he crossed Jabbok to spend the night alone not known.

         1. Some suggest to pray.

         2. I think to get good night’s sleep.

D. The wrestling match.

         1. The crippling, “When he saw that he prevailed not against him.”

         2. The crowning – What is thy name.

                 a. Name expressed character.

                 b. Your name shall no longer be heal-catcher, but governed by God “Israel”

(Chuck Smith: Sermon Notes for Genesis 32:24-28)

The blessing of God did not come till Jacob humbled himself, was stripped of his power, and allowed God to change him.

Then God blessed him, changed his name, made a great nation through him, through the nation shall come a Savior, and through the Savior redemption for the world. All because Jacob humbled himself and obeyed God.

This should be our attitude. Humble ourselves and obey God.

What could God do with us?

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001

Good morning,

Jacob the deceiver, has been deceived. God commands him to leave Laban and go home.

On the way, he has an encounter with the angel of God, and his life is radically changed.

Jacob comes to God with a humble and repentant attitude. God blesses him, changes his name to Israel, and reminds him of the covenant He made with Abraham and Isaac. Jacob builds an altar to God and a pillar where God spoke to him.

This week we will study this transformation.

Jacob humbles himself before God (Genesis 32:9-12)

“And Jacob said, O God of my father Abraham, and God of my father Isaac, the Lord which saidst unto me, Return unto thy country, and to thy kindred, and I will deal well with thee:¹⁰ I am not worthy of the least of all the mercies, and of all the truth, which thou hast shewed unto thy servant; for with my staff I passed over this Jordan; and now I am become two bands. ¹¹ Deliver me, I pray thee, from the hand of my brother, from the hand of Esau: for I fear him, lest he will come and smite me, and the mother with the children.¹² And thou saidst, I will surely do thee good, and make thy seed as the sand of the sea, which cannot be numbered for multitude.”

Jacob is no longer proud, conceited, deceitful, or trying to bargain with God. He knows he is not worthy to stand before the God that created him. He is humble before God.

Before God could do anything for or with Jacob, Jacob had to realize his need for God. Once that happened, God began to work on him.

This is the process God uses in our lives. Unbelievers must acknowledge their sin. Then repent of their sin and put their faith and trust in the Lord Jesus Christ. Then God begins the process of helping them to grow in their knowledge of and obedience to the Bible. That creates maturity and opportunities to tell others about Christ.

Where are we in this process? Have we humbled ourselves, repented of our sins, and accepted Jesus Christ into our live by faith? Have we matured to the point that we can tell others about salvation through Jesus Christ?

It began when Jacob humbled himself.

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001

Good morning,

Jacob was a product of his upbringing. His grandparents lied. His parents lied and played favorites with Jacob and Esau. So, Jacob learned all these traits and more. His early years were spent deceiving others. He even tried bargaining with God. It was not till he wrestled with the angel of God, did his life change.

When he met God, his named was changed to Israel, and he began living for God.

This week we look at the life of Jacob.

Jacob reaps what he sowed Genesis 29-31

Genesis 29:15-27 And Laban said unto Jacob, Because thou art my brother, shouldest thou therefore serve me for nought? tell me, what shall thy wages be?¹⁶ And Laban had two daughters: the name of the elder was Leah, and the name of the younger was Rachel.¹⁷ Leah was tender eyed; but Rachel was beautiful and well favored.¹⁸ And Jacob loved Rachel; and said, I will serve thee seven years for Rachel thy younger daughter.¹⁹ And Laban said, It is better that I give her to thee, than that I should give her to another man: abide with me.²⁰ And Jacob served seven years for Rachel; and they seemed unto him but a few days, for the love he had to her.²¹ And Jacob said unto Laban, Give me my wife, for my days are fulfilled, that I may go in unto her.²² And Laban gathered together all the men of the place, and made a feast.²³ And it came to pass in the evening, that he took Leah his daughter, and brought her to him; and he went in unto her.²⁴ And Laban gave unto his daughter Leah Zilpah his maid for an handmaid. ²⁵ And it came to pass, that in the morning, behold, it was Leah: and he said to Laban, What is this thou hast done unto me? did not I serve with thee for Rachel? wherefore then hast thou beguiled me?²⁶ And Laban said, It must not be so done in our country, to give the younger before the firstborn.²⁷ Fulfil her week, and we will give thee this also for the service which thou shalt serve with me yet seven other years.²⁸ And Jacob did so, and fulfilled her week: and he gave him Rachel his daughter to wife also. (v25) (Jacob deceived others, now he has been deceived)

Genesis 31:3-7 And the Lord said unto Jacob, Return unto the land of thy fathers, and to thy kindred; and I will be with thee.⁴ And Jacob sent and called Rachel and Leah to the field unto his flock,⁵ And said unto them, I see your father’s countenance, that it is not toward me as before; but the God of my father hath been with me.⁶ And ye know that with all my power I have served your father. And your father hath deceived me, and changed my wages ten times; but God suffered him not to hurt me. (Jacob reaps what he has sowed)

When we sin and fail to repent, God has a way of getting our attention. Jacob was stubborn, a deceiver, a scammer, and a child of God. As we will see next week, God will finally gets Jacob’s attention.

“Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.” (Galatians 6:7)

CONCLUSION:

• Dysfunction breeds dysfunction
• Break the cycle and obey
• God is not mocked. We reap what we sow!
• Biblical principles must guide us

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001

Good morning,

Jacob was a product of his upbringing. His grandparents lied. His parents lied and played favorites with Jacob and Esau. So, Jacob learned all these traits and more. His early years were spent deceiving others. He even tried bargaining with God. It was not till he wrestled with the angel of God, did his life change.

When he met God, his named was changed to Israel, and he began living for God.

This week we look at the life of Jacob.

Jacob’s dysfunctional life

Genesis 25:28 And Isaac loved Esau, because he did eat of his venison: but Rebekah loved Jacob.  (Parents playing favorites)

Genesis 25:29-34 And Jacob sod pottage: and Esau came from the field, and he was faint:³⁰ And Esau said to Jacob, Feed me, I pray thee, with that same red pottage; for I am faint: therefore was his name called Edom.³¹ And Jacob said, Sell me this day thy birthright.³² And Esau said, Behold, I am at the point to die: and what profit shall this birthright do to me?³³ And Jacob said, Swear to me this day; and he sware unto him: and he sold his birthright unto Jacob.³⁴ Then Jacob gave Esau bread and pottage of lentils; and he did eat and drink, and rose up, and went his way: thus Esau despised his birthright.

And Jacob said, Sell me this day thy birthright. (v31) (Opportunist, taking advantage of others)

Genesis 27:1-46

Isaac’s request of Esau

“And it came to pass, that when Isaac was old, and his eyes were dim, so that he could not see, he called Esau his eldest son, and said unto him, My son: and he said unto him, Behold, here am I. ² And he said, Behold now, I am old, I know not the day of my death: ³ Now therefore take, I pray thee, thy weapons, thy quiver and thy bow, and go out to the field, and take me some venison;⁴ And make me savory meat, such as I love, and bring it to me, that I may eat; that my soul may bless thee before I die.”  (1-4)

Rebekah’s command for Jacob

“And Rebekah heard when Isaac spake to Esau his son. And Esau went to the field to hunt for venison, and to bring it.⁶ And Rebekah spake unto Jacob her son, saying, Behold, I heard thy father speak unto Esau thy brother, saying,⁷ Bring me venison, and make me savory meat, that I may eat, and bless thee before the Lord before my death. ⁸ Now therefore, my son, obey my voice according to that which I command thee.⁹ Go now to the flock, and fetch me from thence two good kids of the goats; and I will make them savory meat for thy father, such as he loveth:¹⁰ And thou shalt bring it to thy father, that he may eat, and that he may bless thee before his death.” (5-10)

Jacob deceives Isaac

“And his mother said unto him, Upon me be thy curse, my son: only obey my voice, and go fetch me them.¹⁴ And he went, and fetched, and brought them to his mother: and his mother made savory meat, such as his father loved.¹⁵ And Rebekah took goodly raiment of her eldest son Esau, which were with her in the house, and put them upon Jacob her younger son:¹⁶ And she put the skins of the kids of the goats upon his hands, and upon the smooth of his neck:¹⁷ And she gave the savory meat and the bread, which she had prepared, into the hand of her son Jacob.¹⁸ And he came unto his father, and said, My father: and he said, Here am I; who art thou, my son?¹⁹ And Jacob said unto his father, I am Esau thy first born; I have done according as thou badest me: arise, I pray thee, sit and eat of my venison, that thy soul may bless me.”  (13-19) (v13) (Rebekah’s manipulation teaching Jacob to deceive his father)

Isaac challenges Jacob then blesses him

And Isaac said unto his son, How is it that thou hast found it so quickly, my son? And he said, Because the Lord thy God brought it to me.²¹ And Isaac said unto Jacob, Come near, I pray thee, that I may feel thee, my son, whether thou be my very son Esau or not.²² And Jacob went near unto Isaac his father; and he felt him, and said, The voice is Jacob’s voice, but the hands are the hands of Esau.²³ And he discerned him not, because his hands were hairy, as his brother Esau’s hands: so he blessed him. And he said, Art thou my very son Esau? And he said, I am. And he said, Bring it near to me, and I will eat of my son’s venison, that my soul may bless thee. And he brought it near to him, and he did eat: and he brought him wine and he drank.²⁶ And his father Isaac said unto him, Come near now, and kiss me, my son.²⁷ And he came near, and kissed him: and he smelled the smell of his raiment, and blessed him, and said, See, the smell of my son is as the smell of a field which the Lord hath blessed:²⁸ Therefore God give thee of the dew of heaven, and the fatness of the earth, and plenty of corn and wine:²⁹ Let people serve thee, and nations bow down to thee: be lord over thy brethren, and let thy mother’s sons bow down to thee: cursed be every one that curseth thee, and blessed be he that blesseth thee.(v24) (Jacob lied and stole the blessing from Esau)

Genesis 28:10-22 And Jacob vowed a vow, saying, If God will be with me, and will keep me in this way that I go, and will give me bread to eat, and raiment to put on, So that I come again to my father’s house in peace; then shall the LORD be my God: (20-21) (Jacob bargains with God. IF GOD…)

Parents should never play favorites. It causes separation and bitterness.

Jacob took advantage of Esau in buying his birthright.

Rebekah instigates this deceit. Her intent was to get Isaac’s blessing for Jacob, instead of the rightful person Esau. It works, but has disastrous consequences. Esau is mad enough to want to kill Jacob. Rebekah sends Jacob away to Laban.

We may be able to deceive people for a time, but usually the truth comes out. Then the problems start. There are always consequences to sin.

We are never able to deceive God. God knows and sees everything.

“O lord, thou hast searched me, and known me.² Thou knowest my downsitting and mine uprising, thou understandest my thought afar off.³ Thou compassest my path and my lying down, and art acquainted with all my ways.⁴ For there is not a word in my tongue, but, lo, O Lord, thou knowest it altogether.⁵ Thou hast beset me behind and before, and laid thine hand upon me.⁶ Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; it is high, I cannot attain unto it.” (Psalm 139:1-6)

“The eyes of the Lord are in every place, beholding the evil and the good.” (Proverbs 15:3)

Please God by obeying His word. God’s way is the only way to please God!

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001

Good morning,

Jacob was a product of his upbringing. His grandparents lied. His parents lied and played favorites with Jacob and Esau. So, Jacob learned all these traits and more. His early years were spent deceiving others. He even tried bargaining with God. It was not till he wrestled with the angel of God, did his life change.

When he met God, his named was changed to Israel, and he began living for God.

This week we look at the life of Jacob.

JACOB’S DYSFUNCTIONAL FAMILY

GENESIS 12-31

INTRO:  Functional vs Dysfunctional Families

Jacob PRE and POST Gen 32

Functional:                                            Dysfunctional:

1. Puts God first                                   No relationship with God or not first

2. Husband and wife                          Any kind of relationship

3. Quiver full of children                  No children

4. Bible foundation                              No foundation

5. Obey God                                         Do their own thing

WHO ARE THE PLAYERS?

1.   God-See lesson 1

2.  Abraham, Sarah, Isaac, Rebekah, Jacob, Esau, Laban

WHAT did God do?

Exodus 34:7 Keeping mercy for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin, and that will by no means clear the guilty; visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children, and upon the children’s children, unto the third and to the fourth generation.

1) Jacob’s grandparents and parents dysfunction passed to him

Genesis 20:1-8 And Abraham said of Sarah his wife, She is my sister: and Abimelech king of Gerar sent, and took Sarah. (v2) Abraham lied

Genesis 26:6-11 And the men of the place asked him of his wife; and he(Isaac) said, She is my sister: for he feared to say, She is my wife; lest, said he, the men of the place should kill me for Rebekah; because she was fair to look upon. (v7) Isaac lied

Genesis 27:1-46 And he said, Art thou my very son Esau? And he said, I am. (v24) Jacob lied

2) Jacob’s dysfunctional life

Genesis 25:28 And Isaac loved Esau, because he did eat of his venison: but Rebekah loved Jacob.  (Parents playing favorites)

Genesis 25:29-34 And Jacob said, Sell me this day thy birthright. (v31) (Opportunist, taking advantage of others)

Genesis 27: 6-17 And his mother said unto him, Upon me be thy curse, my son: only obey my voice, and go fetch me them. (v13) (Rebekah’s manipulation teaching Jacob to deceive his father)

Genesis 27:18-29 And he said, Art thou my very son Esau? And he said, I am. (v24) (Jacob lied, stole the blessing from Esau)

Genesis 28:10-22 And Jacob vowed a vow, saying, If God will be with me, and will keep me in this way that I go, and will give me bread to eat, and raiment to put on, So that I come again to my father’s house in peace; then shall the LORD be my God: (20-21) (Jacob bargains with God. IF GOD…)

3) Jacob reaps what he sowed Genesis 29-31

Genesis 29:15-27 And it came to pass, that in the morning, behold, it was Leah: and he said to Laban, What is this thou hast done unto me? did not I serve with thee for Rachel? wherefore then hast thou beguiled me? (v25) (Jacob deceived others, now he has been deceived)

Genesis 31:7 And your father hath deceived me, and changed my wages ten times; but God suffered him not to hurt me. (Jacob reaps what he sowed)

CONCLUSION:

• Dysfunction breeds dysfunction
• Break the cycle and obey
• God is not mocked. We reap what we sow!
• Biblical principles must guide us

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001

Good morning,

Jacob was a product of his upbringing. His grandparents lied. His parents lied and played favorites with Jacob and Esau. So, Jacob learned all these traits and more. His early years were spent deceiving others. He even tried bargaining with God. It was not till he wrestled with the angel of God, did his life change.

When he met God, his named was changed to Israel, and he began living for God.

This week we look at the life of Jacob.

Jacob’s grandparents and parents dysfunction passed to him

Genesis 20:1-8 And Abraham journeyed from thence toward the south country, and dwelled between Kadesh and Shur, and sojourned in Gerar. And Abraham said of Sarah his wife, She is my sister: and Abimelech king of Gerar sent, and took Sarah. (But God came to Abimelech in a dream by night, and said to him, Behold, thou art but a dead man, for the woman which thou hast taken; for she is a man’s wife.⁴ But Abimelech had not come near her: and he said, Lord, wilt thou slay also a righteous nation?⁵ Said he not unto me, She is my sister? and she, even she herself said, He is my brother: in the integrity of my heart and innocency of my hands have I done this.⁶ And God said unto him in a dream, Yea, I know that thou didst this in the integrity of thy heart; for I also withheld thee from sinning against me: therefore suffered I thee not to touch her.⁷ Now therefore restore the man his wife; for he is a prophet, and he shall pray for thee, and thou shalt live: and if thou restore her not, know thou that thou shalt surely die, thou, and all that are thine.⁸ Therefore Abimelech rose early in the morning, and called all his servants, and told all these things in their ears: and the men were sore afraid. Abraham lied (v2)

Genesis 26:6-11 And Isaac dwelt in Gerar: And the men of the place asked him of his wife; and he (Isaac) said, She is my sister: for he feared to say, She is my wife; lest, said he, the men of the place should kill me for Rebekah; because she was fair to look upon. And it came to pass, when he had been there a long time, that Abimelech king of the Philistines looked out at a window, and saw, and, behold, Isaac was sporting with Rebekah his wife.⁹ And Abimelech called Isaac, and said, Behold, of a surety she is thy wife; and how saidst thou, She is my sister? And Isaac said unto him, Because I said, Lest I die for her.¹⁰ And Abimelech said, What is this thou hast done unto us? one of the people might lightly have lien with thy wife, and thou shouldest have brought guiltiness upon us.¹¹ And Abimelech charged all his people, saying, He that toucheth this man or his wife shall surely be put to death. Isaac lied (v7)

We learn many things from our grandparents and parents. Children observe every action, whether good or bad. They will reflect what they see.

So, it is crucial that we do things that are pleasing to God and when we don’t, make it clear we were in error and repent. That will show that we are willing to be truthful before God.

Teaching the Bible is also crucial. The foundation for a life pleasing to God is to know the Bible and obey it.

Think about the things that you have learned from your grandparents and parents. Do they raise up God and His word? Would you teach them to your children?

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001